Page 37 of Gio

“Gio,” she squeaked. “You don’t have to fuck her to take care of her!” The only thing missing from that whine was a foot stomp.

If she hadn’t threatened me, I’d almost feel sorry for her. “I need to get going since my breakfast is ruined and my appetite is gone.” Both were true. The reminder of Gio’s past was just what I needed to remember that whatever this is, it’s not permanent. He didn’t do permanent. “My car is back at the hotel, and I need to get to your place first to change clothes.”

“She’s staying with you?” Cindy’s voice was a mix of disbelief and a pout.

Gio ignored her and spun me to face him. He cupped my cheek gently as his gaze searched my face as if he heard my thoughts and sought to wipe them from my head. “I’m taking you to work today and for the next few days. After everything I can’t leave you alone.”

Why did he have to be so sweet just when I reminded myself to keep an emotional barrier between us? “Thank you.” I wanted to argue. The strong, independent woman in me was desperate to argue but the woman who couldn’t forget yesterday was happy as hell to have him with her all day. “I appreciate that.”

“Of course,” he moaned and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.

Cindy huffed loudly and stomped away even louder.

When Gio pulled back, I arched one eyebrow at him and shot a look to his former conquest. “Want to talk about that?”

“No,” he groaned as if that was a real choice. “Look, I fucked her a couple of times and that’s it. She was on her third night,” he began and shut his eyes as if he was embarrassed. “The night Cole asked me to come get you.”

I knew all about his three-night rule. “And that was going to be it?”

He nodded but his gaze was fixed on the floor.

“She wants her third night,” I teased. “And a fourth and forever.”

He shrugged. “What she wants doesn’t matter to me. I know what I want, and I think that’s what you want too.” He pulled me close, and I felt his heart race beneath my palm. “Want to grab breakfast before I take you to the hotel?”

“I do.” Breakfast with Gio—it sounded so normal, like something a real couple would do. It wasn’t something I pictured Gio doing with a woman, and after a quick stop off at his place so I could change my clothes, we ended up sitting across from each other at a cute diner while we ate.

And talked.

“Cindy seems really angry.”

He shook his head, seemingly unconcerned about the woman. “She is but she’ll get over it. She knew the deal going in and it’s not my fault she thought she’d be the one to change mymind.” He reached across the table and took my hands in his. “She never stood a chance. I realize that now.”

I wanted to ask what the hell that meant but I was too much of a coward. Still, those words stuck with me throughout a completely uneventful day at work.

Chapter 22

Gio

“Look.” Viper started and then stopped and raked a hand through his shaggy brown hair and let out a sharp breath. His eyes closed and then open on Diesel. “I just want my product back. Whatever else is going on between us, I need that product back.”

I smiled to myself, happy that Hawk was in front of me to shield my expression from Viper and the other Blood Reapers who’d shown up for this meeting in the desert. It was the ideal place since there was nothing around. No buildings or anywhere else to hide. We were all out in the open because we didn’t trust each other for shit.

Diesel stared at Viper for a long damn time as if he could read the man’s mind. Finally he spoke, his words deliberately slow and lacking all emotion. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Have you misplaced some of your product?”

Viper’s jaw clenched so tight I heard his molars crunching. “Bullshit!” He spat the word out angrily, his eyes darted around to each of us until he found mine and then they darkened to black. “Your boy is pissed off that his bitch is in my crosshairs. Maybe we should ask him what happened to my product.”

My own jaw clenched tight, when he finally addressed me. My hands balled into tight fists, ready to lunge forward and punch that motherfucker at any moment, but my brother was beside me and he gripped my shoulder until a lot of the tension left my body.

“Well boy, what do you have to say for yourself?”

I took a step forward and pushed Hawk to the side. “Who the fuck are you calling boy?”

He laughed, looking over his shoulder for validation from his men. “The onlyboyI see around here.”

I looked at each of his men and my smile grew. “I don’t think you brought enough men, Viper. I’ve already taken out two or was it three of your fucking pussies, I meanReapers.”

He glared at me so hard that I felt the heat of his hatred from a few feet away. I knew he was pissed because that shipment we gifted to the Black Devils belonged to the cartel, who they had to pay no matter what. “What the fuck did you do?”

---